--- title: "Network Preparation for a TapHome Installation" description: "How to prepare the network for TapHome: IP reservation for the Core and network devices, mDNS name, 127.0.0.1 for the built-in MQTT broker and a checklist." url: "https://taphome.com/en/docs/setup/network-preparation/" language: en lastmod: 2026-11-13 generator: hugo ai: topics: ["network-preparation","ip-reservation","dhcp","mdns","mqtt-broker","installation-planning"] questions: ["Why does a third-party device stop working after the router is replaced?","How do I make sure the IP address of the TapHome Core does not change?","Is an IP reservation in the router better than a static IP in the app?","Where in the app do I find the MAC address, IP address and mDNS name of the control unit?","What MQTT broker address do I enter in TapHome for the built-in broker?","What broker address do I enter in an MQTT device such as Shelly?"] --- # Network Preparation for a TapHome Installation A fixed address for the Core and every device on the network — IP reservation in the router, mDNS name and the address of the built-in MQTT broker Last updated: 2026-11-13 The TapHome Core talks to devices on the home network at the address stored in its configuration. When the router gives the Core or a device a different IP address — after a router replacement, a restart or a switch to DHCP — the integration stops working and the device reports an error. Before the installation, give the Core and every such device a fixed address: an IP reservation in the router, or an mDNS name if the device supports it. For the built-in MQTT broker, enter `127.0.0.1` in TapHome. ## The basic rule: a fixed address Every device the Core talks to over the network, and the Core itself, needs an address that does not change: - **IP reservation in the router** (DHCP reservation, in some routers "static DHCP" or "Address Reservation") — the router always gives the device's MAC address the same IP address. It works for every device; when a device is replaced, move the reservation to the new MAC address. - **mDNS name** (for example `shellyplus1-a8032ab12345.local`) — the device announces it on the network itself and the name does not change with the IP address. It works only for devices that support mDNS. When you add a device in TapHome by scanning the network and the device announces an mDNS name, TapHome uses it on its own ([IP Scanner](https://taphome.com/en/docs/release-notes/2022-2/#ip-scanner)). When the router is replaced, enter the reservations in the new one too. ## Address of the Core control unit The IP address, MAC address and mDNS name of the control unit are in the app under **Settings** → **My location** (rows **IP Address**, **MAC address** and mDNS name). - **We recommend an IP reservation in the router** by the MAC address of the control unit. - **A static IP in the app** (**Settings** → **My location** → **Network settings**, turn off **Enable DHCP**) works as well, but the address must lie outside the range the router hands out over DHCP — otherwise the router may give it to another device and the addresses collide. After the router is replaced by one with a different network, a Core with a static IP is unreachable until the setting is corrected. Steps → [Network architecture](https://taphome.com/en/docs/configuration/network-architecture/#static-ip-app). - **The mDNS name of the control unit** is the location name without diacritics with the suffix `.local` (location "Family House" → `Family-House.local`). It changes when you rename the location. ## Devices on the network | Device | Which address it needs | Recommendation | |---|---|---| | Modbus TCP (inverters, wallboxes, heat pumps) | the device's address in TapHome | IP reservation in the router | | HTTP, TCP, UDP via Packet Parser (Shelly, weather stations, gateways) | the device's address in TapHome | mDNS name if the device announces one; otherwise an IP reservation | | MQTT devices (Shelly MQTT, Zigbee2MQTT, Tasmota) | the Core's address in the device (broker) | IP reservation for the Core; `127.0.0.1` in TapHome (below) | | SIP doorbells | the Core's address in the doorbell and the doorbell's address in TapHome | IP reservation for both | | IP cameras | the camera's address in TapHome | IP reservation in the router | | Another Core control unit | the address of the other control unit | IP reservation for both → [Connecting Multiple Cores](https://taphome.com/en/docs/configuration/multiple-cores/) | Use a static IP set directly in the device only when the manufacturer requires it; it too must lie outside the router's DHCP range. ## Built-in MQTT broker The built-in [MQTT broker](https://taphome.com/en/docs/integration/packet-parser/mqtt-broker/) listens on port 1883 (TCP) by default. It uses two different addresses: - **In TapHome** (Packet Parser module with the MQTT protocol, broker IP address field) enter `127.0.0.1`. It is the control unit's address for itself and does not change even when the control unit's IP address changes. Do not enter the control unit's IP address here — once it changes, the module stops receiving messages. - **In the MQTT device** (for example in the Shelly web interface) enter the control unit's IP address with a reservation in the router. Use the control unit's mDNS name only when the device manufacturer states that it resolves a `.local` name in the server address. > [!WARNING] > Some templates had the name `taphome.mqtt.broker.local` as the default broker address. The control unit does not know this name and the module does not connect — replace it with `127.0.0.1`. ## Ports and firewall Ports the firewall must allow for the app, the Core and the cloud → [firewall settings](https://taphome.com/en/docs/configuration/network-architecture/#firewall-settings). ## Checklist before handover - The Core has an IP reservation in the router (or a static IP outside the DHCP range). - Every Modbus TCP, HTTP and SIP device and every camera has an IP reservation or is entered in TapHome by its mDNS name. - MQTT modules in TapHome have `127.0.0.1` as the broker address, MQTT devices have the control unit's IP address with a reservation. - You handed the list of reservations (MAC address, IP address, device) to the customer — they will need it when the router is replaced. - After a router restart, all devices in TapHome report values without an error. **See also** — [Requirements for Third-Party Devices](https://taphome.com/en/docs/setup/requirements/).